Climate Change
Climate change is a global phenomenon defining the dynamic nature of our environment and the impact of human activities. It is characterized by an alteration in the balance of global temperature and weather patterns, frequently resulting in increasingly severe droughts and floods, rising temperatures, and more severe weather-related disasters. Rising sea levels, fiercer hurricanes, melting Arctic ice, and desertification are only a few of the consequences that scientists state will result from these alterations.
Climate change feels like an insurmountable issue that appears to leave a single nation, or organization powerless to make a difference. The realities of climate change, however, necessitate a shared but differentiated responsibility for us to mitigate its impacts and develop strategies for adapting to them.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change, also referred to as “global warming,” is the observed and projected temperature rise of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans due to increased concentration of greenhouse gases released by human emissions and other sources.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases available in the atmosphere that, like a greenhouse, restrict the radiation of the sun out of the atmosphere and enable the retention of heat in the atmosphere and oceans, thus warming the Earth. Without the balance of GHGs and other components of the atmosphere, the planet would be too cold to sustain life. The current concentration of these gases, however, is leading to a temperature rise far beyond the range necessary to support life.
The Causes of Climate Change
Climate change happens when the balance of GHGs shifts and increases, predominantly through human interference. Scientific research indicates that the Earth’s environment has warmed by an average of 1.1% since the late 19th century, with a catalog of impacts that include:
● Extreme weather including drought, floods, and hurricanes
● Loss and damage of entire ecosystems including the Arctic ice sheet, coral reefs, and rainforests
● Increased severity of natural disasters such as fires
● Loss of species due to alterations of their habitats
The increase in GHGs that leads to these changes is primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil in industrial activities. These are used to produce electricity, heat, to power transportation, and to produce and prepare food.
At present, the three major GHGs emissions come from energy (75%), industrial processes (18%), and land use (7%), such as deforestation, agricultural and soil management, and waste. Therefore, to understand the actions necessary to both mitigate, or lessen GHG emissions, and to adapt to the already occurring and projected changes as a result of climate change, it is necessary to examine and reduce both energy usage and industrial practices.
Global Climate Change Mitigation Strategies
Climate change mitigation, also referred to as ‘avoidance’, is the process of avoiding or reducing the amount of greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere in order to limit or reduce the negative consequences of climate change.
A range of strategies can be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include:
● Renewable Energy: The shift to renewable energy sources that produce no direct emissions will almost certainly require massive investments in research, development, and infrastructure. Examples of renewable energy sources include solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass energy.
● Energy Efficiency: Another method of reducing greenhouse gases is to reduce consumption. By making improvements in energy efficiency, individuals, businesses, and governments can drastically cut their consumption of energy. These improvements might be through more efficient insulation of buildings, efficient lighting and engineering, greater thermostat control of thermal comfort, intelligent transport systems, and more efficient industrial processes.
● Carbon Capture and Storage (CSS): Carbon capture and storage (also known as ‘carbon sequestration’) are technologies that capture carbon dioxide from chimneys and other industrial sources and store it underground, preventing it from entering the atmosphere.
● Sustainable Agriculture: Sustainable agriculture is an approach to food production that is designed to minimize harm to the environment, conserve natural resources and maintain soil health, while still producing healthy and nutritious food. As most of the global increase in GHG emissions come from agricultural activities such as long-term changes in land use, soil management, and livestock production, sustainable agriculture practices can help to mitigate and adapt to some of the effects of climate change.
Global Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Climate change adaptation refers to the methods that individuals, businesses, communities, and governments can use to cope with changes in climate, reduce the harm of climate change, and learn to live with the risks posed by climate change. Some examples of adaptation strategies may include:
● Water Management: Changes in precipitation, evaporation, and runoff caused by climate change result in changes to water availability, both in terms of quality and quantity. These changes require careful management of existing water resources, in order to best ensure equitable distribution and appropriate use.
● Disaster Risk Reduction: Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of disasters such as floods, cyclones, and droughts, requiring reinforced strategies of preparation, response, and recovery in order to minimize harm and increase resilience.
● Strengthening Health Systems: As extreme weather and climate-related health problems become more frequent, the need increases to strengthen public health systems to be able to respond. This may necessitate better access to vaccinations, a more efficient diagnosis of climate-related illnesses and injuries, and a larger shift to preventive measures.
● Urban Planning: As urban areas become increasingly populated, Urban Planning must be modified to adapt to the changing climate. Planning for water and food security, better transportation systems, and efficient climate adaptation against extreme weather must be included in any urban strategies.
Climate change has the capacity to devastate communities if we are unable to address it responsibly and with global solidarity. Mitigation strategies such as energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, carbon capture and storage, and sustainable agricultural practices can reduce the amount of GHGs released in the atmosphere and reverse some of the damages that have already been done.
Adaptation strategies such as water management, disaster risk reduction, strengthening health systems, and urban planning, can help to lessen the potential impacts of climate change and help communities to remain resilient in the face of future climate risks.
Although the consequences of climate change can send communities spiraling into despair, it is possible to minimise its impacts if we act with togetherness and take shared yet differentiated responsibility for the wellbeing of the planet.
